Dana 44
Encyclopedia
The Dana/Spicer Model 44 is an automotive axle manufactured by Dana Corp.
and is used extensively among automobile manufacturers and in the automotive aftermarket area as well. The Dana 44 was first manufactured in the 1940s and is still being manufactured today, both front and rear axle variants. The Dana 44 has been manufactured as a beam axle
and independent suspension
for both front and rear axle setups. There are also different variations of the Dana 44. Over a dozen automobile manufacturers have made vehicles that feature Dana 44 axles, including Jeep
which currently manufactures Four-wheel drive
vehicles that feature both front and rear Dana 44 axles.
On some differentials only the high speed 2.72-3.73 carrier is used for all gear sets up to 5.89 (JK, Nissan or when thick gears are used)
axles. Dana 44 Front axles were known for utilizing locking hubs
or a center axle disconnect
system. However, a permanently locked-in Dana 44 is not uncommon. The Dana 44 has seen use in 1/4-, 1/2-, 3/4-, and 1-ton rated trucks. The Dana 44 was manufactured in kingpin
and ball joint
variations, as well as closed and open knuckle variations.
" (TTB). This Dana 44 had no axle tubes but attached to the driver side traction beam, which also acted as a cover plate, and had "open air" axles which traveled through the beams to the spindles. The axles had u-joints to allow for the independent action of the beams. Individual pivot points for the beams at greater than center made each beam longer than half the overall width crossing in the middle. This allowed for an independent front suspension
design. Ford TTB Dana 44 axles all utilized locking hubs
. The TTB set-up is based on Ford's highly successful Twin I-beam design on two-wheel-drive pick-up truck models.
up to 3500 lb (1,587.6 kg) and is a semi-floating type, having one bearing on the end of the axle shaft which carries the weight of the vehicle on the axle and also allows axle rotation.
There is also a 8.9" diameter dana 44 ring and pinion that is very different from standard dana 44's. this ring and pinion is significantly stronger with a better pinion to ring gear tooth contact pactch and angle. It was typically used in the back of jeep JK's and nissan pickups. this ring and pinion does share some components and can be adapted into an earlier dana 44 but requires some work, different bearings and spacers. the benefit is the larger ring gear, better angle cut on the teeth and dana 60 diameter pinion shaft. Jantz axle co out of washington so far is the only company that has successfully adapted these into the early dana 44 housings
s and Dodge Viper
s. This axle is referred to as a Dana 44 ICA or Dana 44 IRS. Some 1985–1996 Chevrolet Corvette C4
featured this axle. A rear transaxle
was used starting with the Corvette C5. The Dodge Viper has always used a Dana 44 IRS setup. The majority of the Dana 44 IRS set ups use a limited slip differential
.
Dodge
Ford
International Harvester
Jeep
Nissan
2005-2011 Frontier SV V6 4X4, Nismo and ProX 4X4 manual transmission only.
Rear Axle
Jeep
Isuzu
Nissan
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Dana Corp.
The Dana Holding Corporation is a supplier of axles, driveshafts, off-highway transmissions, sealing and thermal-management products, and service parts....
and is used extensively among automobile manufacturers and in the automotive aftermarket area as well. The Dana 44 was first manufactured in the 1940s and is still being manufactured today, both front and rear axle variants. The Dana 44 has been manufactured as a beam axle
Beam axle
A beam axle is a suspension system, also called a solid axle, in which one set of wheels is connected laterally by a single beam or shaft...
and independent suspension
Independent suspension
Independent suspension is a broad term for any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically independently of each other. This is contrasted with a beam axle, live axle or deDion axle system in which the wheels are linked – movement on one side affects...
for both front and rear axle setups. There are also different variations of the Dana 44. Over a dozen automobile manufacturers have made vehicles that feature Dana 44 axles, including Jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
which currently manufactures Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
vehicles that feature both front and rear Dana 44 axles.
General specifications
- Ring Gear measures 8.5 inches (22 cm)
- Ring Gear measures 8.9 inches (23 cm)
- OEM Inner axle shaft spline counts are 10, 19, 30, 32, 33 and 35
- Pinion shaft diameter: 1.375" (most dana 44's) 1.625" (JK and nissan dana 44's)
- Pinion shaft splines and spline diameter: 26/1.12" (most dana 44's post 1970), 24/1.25" (JK & Nissan), 10/1.12" (early pre 1970 dana 44's)
- Gear ratios range from 2.72:1 to 5.89:1
- Carrier break: 2.72:1 - 3.73:1 and 3.92 - 5.89:1.
On some differentials only the high speed 2.72-3.73 carrier is used for all gear sets up to 5.89 (JK, Nissan or when thick gears are used)
- Axle Shaft diameter
- 1.175” Front outer (19 Spline)
- 1.20” Rear (10 Spline)
- 1.30” Rear (19 Spline)
- 1.31” Front inner (30 Spline)
- 1.31” Rear (30 Spline)
- 1.41" Rear (32 Spline)
Front Dana 44 solid axle
The Dana 44 Front axle first saw use in the 1950s and still in use today. Aftermarket upgrades for the Dana 44 have evolved in such order that a Dana 44 can exceed the strength of stock Dana 60Dana 60
The Dana/Spicer Model 60 is an automotive axle manufactured by Dana Corp. and used in OEM "heavy duty" pickup applications by Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ford. There are rear axle and four wheel drive front steering versions of the Dana 60. It can be readily identified by its straight axle...
axles. Dana 44 Front axles were known for utilizing locking hubs
Locking hubs
Locking hubs, also known as free wheeling hubs are an accessory fitted to many four-wheel drive vehicles, allowing the front wheels to be manually disconnected from the front half shafts....
or a center axle disconnect
Center axle disconnect
A center axle disconnect system or CAD is an alternative to locking hubs. CAD systems are typically used in front drive axles on four wheel drive vehicles. A CAD system works by having an axle shaft split into two pieces. One piece is connected to the carrier, the other connected to the wheel...
system. However, a permanently locked-in Dana 44 is not uncommon. The Dana 44 has seen use in 1/4-, 1/2-, 3/4-, and 1-ton rated trucks. The Dana 44 was manufactured in kingpin
Kingpin
Kingpin may refer to:* Kingpin , the pivot in the steering mechanism* Kingpin , a Swedish metal band from the mid-1980s* Kingpin , a satirical chess magazine...
and ball joint
Ball joint
In an automobile, ball joints are spherical bearings that connect the control arms to the steering knuckles.More specifically, a ball joint is a steel bearing stud and socket enclosed in a steel casing. The bearing stud is tapered and threaded. It fits into a tapered hole in the steering knuckle. A...
variations, as well as closed and open knuckle variations.
Independent front suspension (IFS) Dana 44 axle
In the 1960s, Jeep used a unique Dana 44 IFS setup, that was short lived. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ford used a form of IFS known as "Twin Traction BeamTwin Traction Beam
The Twin Traction Beam is an independent suspension system for front drive axles in four-wheel drive Ford F-Series trucks and sport utility vehicles....
" (TTB). This Dana 44 had no axle tubes but attached to the driver side traction beam, which also acted as a cover plate, and had "open air" axles which traveled through the beams to the spindles. The axles had u-joints to allow for the independent action of the beams. Individual pivot points for the beams at greater than center made each beam longer than half the overall width crossing in the middle. This allowed for an independent front suspension
Independent suspension
Independent suspension is a broad term for any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically independently of each other. This is contrasted with a beam axle, live axle or deDion axle system in which the wheels are linked – movement on one side affects...
design. Ford TTB Dana 44 axles all utilized locking hubs
Locking hubs
Locking hubs, also known as free wheeling hubs are an accessory fitted to many four-wheel drive vehicles, allowing the front wheels to be manually disconnected from the front half shafts....
. The TTB set-up is based on Ford's highly successful Twin I-beam design on two-wheel-drive pick-up truck models.
Dana 41
The Dana 41 was the precursor to the Dana 44 and was used from the 1930s to the 1950s. The ring gear on the Dana 41 is near one inch smaller than a Dana 44.Dana 44
The Dana 44 rear axle first saw use in the 1940s and is still in use today. The Dana 44 has a GAWRGross axle weight rating
The gross axle weight rating is the maximum distributed weight that may be supported by an axle of a road vehicle. Typically, GAWR is followed by either the letters FR or RR, which indicate front or rear axles respectively.-Importance:...
up to 3500 lb (1,587.6 kg) and is a semi-floating type, having one bearing on the end of the axle shaft which carries the weight of the vehicle on the axle and also allows axle rotation.
There is also a 8.9" diameter dana 44 ring and pinion that is very different from standard dana 44's. this ring and pinion is significantly stronger with a better pinion to ring gear tooth contact pactch and angle. It was typically used in the back of jeep JK's and nissan pickups. this ring and pinion does share some components and can be adapted into an earlier dana 44 but requires some work, different bearings and spacers. the benefit is the larger ring gear, better angle cut on the teeth and dana 60 diameter pinion shaft. Jantz axle co out of washington so far is the only company that has successfully adapted these into the early dana 44 housings
Dana 45
The Dana 45 was introduced during the 1950s as an upgraded Dana 44 with larger 20 spline axle shafts.Independent rear suspension (IRS) Dana 44 axle
The Dana 44 has seen use in Chevrolet CorvetteChevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
s and Dodge Viper
Dodge Viper
The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January...
s. This axle is referred to as a Dana 44 ICA or Dana 44 IRS. Some 1985–1996 Chevrolet Corvette C4
Chevrolet Corvette C4
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1984 through 1996 model years. The editors of Consumer Guide stated: "The first fully redesigned Corvette in 15 years was more sophisticated and more practical than the beloved Shark...
featured this axle. A rear transaxle
Transaxle
In the automotive field, a transaxle is a major mechanical component that combines the functionality of the transmission, the differential, and associated components of the driven axle into one integrated assembly....
was used starting with the Corvette C5. The Dodge Viper has always used a Dana 44 IRS setup. The majority of the Dana 44 IRS set ups use a limited slip differential
Limited slip differential
A limited slip differential is a type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in angular velocity of the output shafts, but imposes a mechanical bound on the disparity...
.
Dana 36
A Dana 36 IRS was used in all Corvettes in 1984 and automatic transmission equipped Corvettes from 1985 to 1996. The Dana 36 has a ring gear diameter of 7.75 inches (20 cm), and has gear ratios ranging from 2.53:1 to 3.31:1.Common Applications
Front AxleDodge
- 1974–1993 Ramcharger
- 1980–2001½ Ton (W150/1500)
- 1988–1995¾ Ton (2500 Light Duty)
- 1972–1980 (w200)
Ford
- 1959–1979½ Ton (F-100/F-150/F-250)
- 1980–1996½ Ton (F-150, TTB)
- 1959-1987¾ Ton (F-250 light duty)
International Harvester
International Harvester
International Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
- 1971–1980 Scout
Jeep
- 1967-1973 Jeepster Commando and Commando
- 1974–1991 Wagoneer
- 1974–1983 SJ
- 2003–2010 TJ JK Wrangler Rubicon
- unknown years - Venezuelan XJ
Nissan
- 2004-2011 Titan
2005-2011 Frontier SV V6 4X4, Nismo and ProX 4X4 manual transmission only.
Rear Axle
Jeep
- 2003–2010 Wrangler Rubicon
- 2004-2006 Wrangler "LJ" Unlimited
- 1997–2006 Wrangler (optional: available starting 7 July 1997)
- 2007–2010 Wrangler (optional on 2007, standard '08-present)
- 1987–1990 XJ (Tow Package)
- 1987-1992 MJ (Big-Ton/Burly Package)
- 1986 CJ-7
- 1996–2004 ZJ/WJ Grand Cherokee (Aluminum center section, referred to as the 'D44A')
Isuzu
- 1993–2004 Rodeo (Honda Passport, Holden Frontera)
- 1994-1997 Rodeo (Honda Passport)
Nissan
- 2004-2007 Titan(32 Spline)
- 2008-2011 Titan(35 Spline)
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External links
- Mr. N's Dana44 Articlehttp://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44.htm
- How to install the 9" dana 50 ring and pinion into a HP dana 44 housing (jana 54)http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=948996
- offroaders.com
- YukonGear.com